Plumber&#39;s holder.



Patented Dec/I2, I899. J. T. MORAN.

PLUMBERS HOLDER.

(Application filed Apr. 24, 1899.)

(No Model.)

a: Norms PETERS co. PNOTO-LIT UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

JOHN T. MORAN, OF THORNDIKE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO WILLIAM LAIVTON, OE SAME PLACE.

PLUMBERS HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 638,737, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed April 24, 1899.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. MORAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Thorndike, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Plumbers Holder, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in plumbers holders, consisting, essentially, of a peculiarly-constructed pair of tongs and a bench-standard for the same.

The objects of my improvement are, first, to provide an implement for grasping and securely retaining any pipe, gooseneck-faucet, or other similar article in use by plumbers within the capacity of said implement, and which can be manipulated easily and rapidly both when seizing and releasing the'pipe or faucet; second, to furnish an adjustable device for supporting the above-mentioned implement when in use, and, third, to produce a detachable holder in such an inexpensive and simple form that it can be sold at a comparatively small cost, readily shipped, and easily set up.

Heretofore it has been the custom of plumbers when wiping a joint to insert the pipe or faucet being operated upon in a pipe-wrench and place the latter in an ordinary vise. The principal objections to this method are as follows: first, because the wrench either cannot be operated quickly enough or there is no means of locking its jaws tightly upon the object between them, or both, and, second, because the vise cannot be raised and lowered and often does not swing or turn. I have completely overcome these objections in my improved holder.

I attain the objects noted above by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side view of my invention, showing it secured to a bench and having a faucet in its grasp; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 an enlarged side view of the lockstrap.

Similar figures refer to similar parts through out the several views.

The tongs consist of two members pivoted together at 4: and so constructed as to form the jaws 5 5 and handles 6 6. The outer ends Serial No. 714,186. (No model.)

of the jaws 5 are equipped with the prongs 7, and the inside surfaces of said jaws are slightly concaved in a longitudinal direction to conform more or less closely to the contour of the object to be placed between the same. The free terminal of the handle 6 passes through a hole Sin one end of the strap 9 and is turned over to prevent the latter from becoming detached therefrom and at the same time permit the strap to be folded back against the outer face of the handle, where it will be out of the way when the tongs are being used without the locking-strap. The free terminal of the handle 6 is equipped with the spur 10, which is adapted to enter any of the remaining holes 8 in the strap 9. When the perforated strap 9 is swung clear of the spur 10, as indicated by the dotted lines 9 in Fig. 2, the jaws 5 of the ton gs may be separated for the purpose of closing them upon an object, such as the faucet 11. The handles 6 and 6 are now pressed together and the strap 9 closed over the spur 10, therebyfirmlygripping the faucet 11 between the jaws 5. Sufficient resiliency resides in the handles 6 and 6 to permit the spur 10 to be sprung into the nearest available hole 8 to the pivoted end of the strap 9. The faucet 11 is now securely held in place and the tongs locked by the strap 9.

It will be readily seen that the operation of these tongs is easily, quickly, and positively performed.

The standard consists of the collar 12, which ,is screwed or otherwise fastened to a bench 13, the rod 14: passing through suitable openings in said collar and bench and the slotted head 15 surmounting said rod. The collar 12 is provided with the thumb-screw 16, which is adapted to bear against or release the rod 14. The head 15 is traversed by the slot 17, and the thumb-screw 18 is threaded into one side of said head and enters said slot. After the tongs are closed upon the faucet 11 one of the handles is inserted in the slot 17 and the thumb-screw 18 tightened upon the handle, thereby rigidly attaching said tongs to the head 15. The thumb-screw 16 is next loosened and the rod 14 raised or lowered and turned until the faucet 11 is brought into the desired position, when said thumb-screw is tightened against said rod. The faucet 11 is now in a convenient position for Wiping the joint that is to be made therewith.

It will be noticed that the parts herein described may be readily detached and placed in a small compass and as readily set up.

IVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a pair of tongs, having one straight handle, a standard 14, capable of longitudinal and rotary adjustment and provided with an opening in its free end to receive and grasp one of the handles of said tongs, and a set-screw to bear against the handle, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with a pair of tongs, a collar adapted to be attached to a bench, a rod mounted in said collar, and having free longitudinal and rotary movement, means to rigidly fix said rod in position in the collar and means comprising an opening and locking means to bear against the handle to secure said tongs to the top of the latter, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with a pair of tongs, a collar capable of being attached to a bench, a rod loosely mounted in said collar and havinglongitudinal and rotary movement therein, means to rigidly fix said rod in position, a slotted head on the latter adapted to receive one of the arms of said tongs and means for securing the arm to said head, substantially as specified.

JOHN '1. MORAN.

\Vitnesses:

DEXTER E. TILLEY, S. SWEENEY. 

